Colt Detective Special Problem (1975 model)

barnettamb · April 14, 2014, 11:26 AM

Hello,
I have a Colt Detective Special handed down from my grandfather. It is in great condition, but when I go shooting with it I can only get about 40 rounds through it before in binds up. The trigger will stick down and the cylinder won't rotate when you do pull the trigger. I took it in the get fixed by my local gun store and when I got it back it was much more accurate shooting double action. It shot great! However, again, I only got 40 rounds through it. Also, the little plate on the side above the grip is not completely flush to the gun. It wasn't before I took it in and it wasn't when i picked it up. Any help would be MUCH appreciated.
Thank you in advance!

Dixie Gunsmithing · April 14, 2014, 01:21 PM

Can you post a photo of this? I take it the side plate is not fitting correctly?

Intermittent problems can be rough to troubleshoot sometimes, without seeing the gun.

PetahW · April 14, 2014, 02:54 PM

.

It sounds like the cylinder gap, betwixt the cylinder face & the rear of the bbl, was set too close/tight @ the factory, allowing it to bind when the cylinder heats up/expands after multiple immediate shots. (in your case, 40)

AFAIK, the COLT cylinder gap tolerance (which is much tighter than S&W) is .003" to .007" - which you can check for yourself with an automotive feeler gauge set.

The non-flush side plate is bad ju-ju, and something I would only entrust to Colt for repair.

IIRC, Colt will still service a DS, so you might want to sneak in a call to their Customer Service Dept.

.

g.willikers · April 14, 2014, 02:58 PM

Some questions:
When it locks up, is it done for good, or will it get better when it cools down?
How about after cleaning it?
How are you shooting it, when it acts up - slow and steady, fast and furious?
Does the cylinder open and swing out ok?
Are you satisfied only shooting it 39 times?
Ok, scratch that last one, but it was too tempting to pass up.
And, yes, pictures always help.
If we can't figure out the problem, it's always enjoyable to look at another gun.

barnettamb · April 14, 2014, 03:25 PM

I will post a picture of it as soon as i can get one...the gun is at home and I'm at college... Once it jams, its pretty much done for until i clean it and mess with it a little. Once this happens and i release the cylinder out, the cylinder rubs up against the side of the gun (i believe this happens because the plate is not flush) I called colt and they said they would charge 75 dollars for the repair plus whatever parts it may need and i would have to pay for shipping both there and back... I really don't want to send it in but i also know colts are complicated so i don't want to mess it up. i will post pictures soon. thank you for your help!

salvadore · April 14, 2014, 03:46 PM

Have you ever removed the side plate yourself? All kinds of things could not be put together correctly, the hand the cylinder (pin?) to the cylinder latch among other things. If your gunsmith isn't a geezer, he may not know what he's doing.

James K · April 14, 2014, 06:27 PM

Not defending my fellow geezers, but that Colt is not a good gun to try and work on unless one has some experience. Frankly, I suggest having Colt do the work; I am a bit astonished that they will do so, since I thought they stopped working on those guns a good while ago.

Jim

barnettamb · April 16, 2014, 11:14 AM

I have taken the side plate off myself before and although it sure looked like i had everything back into place, the only thing i can think of as to why it won't get flush is that something has to be out of place. i will most likely just pay the money and send it into colt this summer.

g.willikers · April 16, 2014, 04:45 PM

Maybe someone, at some time, pried it off, instead of the approved way.
That could have caused the plate to bend.

barnettamb · April 21, 2014, 11:12 AM

I didn't think about the plate being bended...i hope its not but ill definitely check that out. thanks for the idea

Scorch · April 22, 2014, 12:24 AM

Before you assume that you have a damaged gun, check to make sure the rebound lever is on the shelf on the inside of the hand and working properly. If the hand is not fully inserted, the revolver will not work properly, and the side plate will not go on all the way.

Seven High · April 22, 2014, 01:03 PM

Have you tried a cleaning and lubrication of the internals? That would be where I would start at if I owned it,

James K · April 22, 2014, 08:34 PM

One thing to check if the sideplate doesn't fully seat is the trigger stud. Those have been known to work loose and stick out too far, keeping the sideplate from seating fully. Dirt or grease in the stud hole in the sideplate will cause the same problem.

Jim

barnettamb · April 24, 2014, 03:15 PM

thanks guys...im definitely going to check out that trigger stud and make sure that there is no dirt in the hole. i think that may be the problem

barnettamb · May 6, 2014, 12:09 PM

fixed it. thank you

April 14, 2014, 11:26 AM	#1
barnettamb Member Join Date: February 12, 2013 Posts: 50	Colt Detective Special Problem (1975 model) Hello, I have a Colt Detective Special handed down from my grandfather. It is in great condition, but when I go shooting with it I can only get about 40 rounds through it before in binds up. The trigger will stick down and the cylinder won't rotate when you do pull the trigger. I took it in the get fixed by my local gun store and when I got it back it was much more accurate shooting double action. It shot great! However, again, I only got 40 rounds through it. Also, the little plate on the side above the grip is not completely flush to the gun. It wasn't before I took it in and it wasn't when i picked it up. Any help would be MUCH appreciated. Thank you in advance! __________________ Never, Never, Never give up. -Winston Churchill

April 14, 2014, 02:58 PM	#4
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Some questions: When it locks up, is it done for good, or will it get better when it cools down? How about after cleaning it? How are you shooting it, when it acts up - slow and steady, fast and furious? Does the cylinder open and swing out ok? Are you satisfied only shooting it 39 times? Ok, scratch that last one, but it was too tempting to pass up. And, yes, pictures always help. If we can't figure out the problem, it's always enjoyable to look at another gun. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

April 14, 2014, 03:25 PM	#5
barnettamb Member Join Date: February 12, 2013 Posts: 50	I will post a picture of it as soon as i can get one...the gun is at home and I'm at college... Once it jams, its pretty much done for until i clean it and mess with it a little. Once this happens and i release the cylinder out, the cylinder rubs up against the side of the gun (i believe this happens because the plate is not flush) I called colt and they said they would charge 75 dollars for the repair plus whatever parts it may need and i would have to pay for shipping both there and back... I really don't want to send it in but i also know colts are complicated so i don't want to mess it up. i will post pictures soon. thank you for your help! __________________ Never, Never, Never give up. -Winston Churchill

April 16, 2014, 11:14 AM	#8
barnettamb Member Join Date: February 12, 2013 Posts: 50	I have taken the side plate off myself before and although it sure looked like i had everything back into place, the only thing i can think of as to why it won't get flush is that something has to be out of place. i will most likely just pay the money and send it into colt this summer. __________________ Never, Never, Never give up. -Winston Churchill

April 16, 2014, 04:45 PM	#9
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Maybe someone, at some time, pried it off, instead of the approved way. That could have caused the plate to bend. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

April 14, 2014, 01:21 PM	#2
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	Can you post a photo of this? I take it the side plate is not fitting correctly? Intermittent problems can be rough to troubleshoot sometimes, without seeing the gun.

April 14, 2014, 02:54 PM	#3
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. It sounds like the cylinder gap, betwixt the cylinder face & the rear of the bbl, was set too close/tight @ the factory, allowing it to bind when the cylinder heats up/expands after multiple immediate shots. (in your case, 40) AFAIK, the COLT cylinder gap tolerance (which is much tighter than S&W) is .003" to .007" - which you can check for yourself with an automotive feeler gauge set. The non-flush side plate is bad ju-ju, and something I would only entrust to Colt for repair. IIRC, Colt will still service a DS, so you might want to sneak in a call to their Customer Service Dept. .

April 14, 2014, 03:46 PM	#6
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	Have you ever removed the side plate yourself? All kinds of things could not be put together correctly, the hand the cylinder (pin?) to the cylinder latch among other things. If your gunsmith isn't a geezer, he may not know what he's doing.

April 14, 2014, 06:27 PM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Not defending my fellow geezers, but that Colt is not a good gun to try and work on unless one has some experience. Frankly, I suggest having Colt do the work; I am a bit astonished that they will do so, since I thought they stopped working on those guns a good while ago. Jim

April 21, 2014, 11:12 AM	#10
barnettamb Member Join Date: February 12, 2013 Posts: 50	I didn't think about the plate being bended...i hope its not but ill definitely check that out. thanks for the idea __________________ Never, Never, Never give up. -Winston Churchill

April 22, 2014, 12:24 AM	#11
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Before you assume that you have a damaged gun, check to make sure the rebound lever is on the shelf on the inside of the hand and working properly. If the hand is not fully inserted, the revolver will not work properly, and the side plate will not go on all the way. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

April 22, 2014, 01:03 PM	#12
Seven High Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Posts: 650	Have you tried a cleaning and lubrication of the internals? That would be where I would start at if I owned it,

April 22, 2014, 08:34 PM	#13
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	One thing to check if the sideplate doesn't fully seat is the trigger stud. Those have been known to work loose and stick out too far, keeping the sideplate from seating fully. Dirt or grease in the stud hole in the sideplate will cause the same problem. Jim

April 24, 2014, 03:15 PM	#14
barnettamb Member Join Date: February 12, 2013 Posts: 50	thanks guys...im definitely going to check out that trigger stud and make sure that there is no dirt in the hole. i think that may be the problem __________________ Never, Never, Never give up. -Winston Churchill

May 6, 2014, 12:09 PM	#15
barnettamb Member Join Date: February 12, 2013 Posts: 50	fixed it. thank you __________________ Never, Never, Never give up. -Winston Churchill

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